Hearing Instrument Specialist Ontario College Graduate Certificate
ObjectivesGraduates will participate in the testing of hearing and the fitting of hearing aids in private practice, in the manufacturing sector or in the hospital setting. The program includes courses in: acoustics and perception of sound, anatomy of the ear, measurement of hearing sensitivity, digital and analog hearing aid electronics, measurement of hearing aid function, fitting of hearing aids and professional ethics/business management.
Practical experienceTwo summer field placements enable the student to gain experience.
Academic titleHearing Instrument Specialist Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Course descriptionHEAR1110 Hearing Aid Components, ANSI Testing and Assistive Listening Devices
Description: Components and styles are introduced in this course, as well as the electro-acoustic measurements of hearing aid function (ANSI testing). The course begins with coverage of basic electronic features of hearing aid microphones, amplifier classes, receiver components, and introduces methods whereby to troubleshoot and repair hearing aids. Students will learn to take earmold impressions of the outer ear, which are normally done in the clinic for subsequent hearing aid fittings. Students will also learn the specifics of ANSI tests that are routinely performed, in order to determine if a hearing aid is functioning normally or not. A hands-on lab forms part of this course.
Hours: 60
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites: HEAR1160 or HEAR1165, HEAR1170 or HEAR1175
HEAR1130 Introduction to Audiometry
Description: As the course name suggests, this course introduces the student to the basic elements of the routine audiometric test battery: pure-tone testing, speech audiometry, and middle ear impedance testing. Students will learn to perform the basic audiometric test battery, interpret the resultant audiogram, and relate audiometric findings to the various pathologies of the ear. as were covered in Anatomy/Physiology of the Ear. Client counselling is an integral part of HIS practice; this incudes explaining the implications of hearing loss on the client and significant others, mentoring the client on dealing with personal issues of self-image and reservations towards wearing hearing aids. A hands-on lab forms part of this course.
Hours: 60
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites: HEAR1160 or HEAR1165, HEAR1170 or HEAR1175
HEAR1160 Acoustics and Psychoacoustics
Description: This course provides an overview of basic physical acoustics of simple sounds, such as pure-tone sinusoids and complex sounds, such as noise, and speech. Psychoacoustics will also be covered in this course; this is the perception of sound, or the interaction of physical acoustics with the human sense of hearing that receives sounds. The course also includes basic non-electronic acoustic aspects of hearing aids and earmolds.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
HEAR1170 Anatomy/Physiology of the Ear
Description: This course provides detailed coverage of the anatomy and physiology of the normal outer, middle and inner ears, including the balance (vestibular) system. Basic concepts relating to the peripheral and central nervous systems are also included, so that the roles of the auditory or VIII cranial nerve and central auditory nervous systems can be appreciated. The various pathologies of the abnormal ear and vestibular system, as they relate to those of the normal ear, will also be covered in this course.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
HEAR2100 Hearing Aid Compression and Digital Features
Description: Types of signal processing used in digital hearing aids are covered in detail in this course. These types range from linear amplification to the myriad types of compression, such as: output limiting, wide dynamic range compression, and expansion. Electro-acoustic testing measures (ANSI testing) will be covered again in this course, but particularly as it relates to objective measures of these signal processing types. Successful completion of this course relies heavily on absorbing concepts, as well as listening to examples of commonly prescribed hearing aids. Course delivery consists of classroom lectures and laboratory demonstrations. A hands-on lab forms part of this course.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: HEAR1110
HEAR2110 Advanced Audiometry
Description: This course covers concepts beyond those learned in the introductory course on audiometry. Specifically, it covers the importance of taking a thorough client case history, topics of masking, various types of advanced speech testing materials, and client counselling as it relates to the impact of hearing loss. The course also introduces concepts of specialized audiometric tests performed by Audiologists, and important for the HIS to recognize, such as: Acoustic Reflex Decay, Oto-acoustic Emissions, Auditory Brainstem Response. Client counselling continues to be an integral part of this course. A hand-on lab forms part of this course.
Hours: 60
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites: HEAR1130
HEAR2120 Hearing Aid Fitting Methods & Manufacturer Software
Description: The student is exposed in this course to the specific hearing aid fitting software programs that are created by the various hearing aid manufacturers. Since the software programs are many and varied, representatives from each manufacturer will be invited to teach and demonstrate their own software. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to utilize the fitting software they will encounter in their second clinical placement.
Hours: 60
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites: HEAR1110
HEAR8020 Clinical Practicum I (HIS)
Description: The purpose of this placement is to introduce the student to the workplace of the hearing instrument specialist who works in a private practice setting. At this initial placement, the student will put into practice, the concepts that were learned in the first two semesters; namely, assisting in routine audiometry, taking earmold impressions, and conducting ANSI measures of hearing aids.
Hours: 90
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: HEAR1110, HEAR1130, HEAR1160, HEAR1165, HEAR1170, HEAR1175
HEAR8030 Clinical Practicum II (HIS)(Pre-Graduate Consolidation)
Description: The purpose of this second placement is to introduce the student to a different hearing instrument specialist private practice workplace site from that of the first clinical placement. At this second placement, the student will put into practice, additional concepts that were learned in the second year of the program; namely, audiometry requiring masking, selection of hearing aids, and the use of manufacturer hearing aid fitting software.
Hours: 90
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: HEAR8020, HEAR8100
HEAR8100 Professional Ethics and Counselling
Description: Basic concepts of buinsess management and marketing one's services are essential for running a private practice. The roles of the private practitioner's own initiatives as well as assistance from hearing aid manufacturers will be discussed in this course. Furthermore, knowledge of Ontario's Assistive Devices Program and other hearing aid funding sources are fundamental for day-to-day clinical practice; this topic is also covered in this course.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: HEAR2100, HEAR2110